Chapter 5: The Encounter

Author's Notes: You know, after further speculation, I don't think this story will just be some sort of side project. After all of the positive reviews I've gotten I think I'll make this a main focus as well, maybe take a small break from my first story for a bit. :3

Dark: Hehehe, glad my suspense techniques are working. :P

Arowl: You know, my brother is actually starting to work on Bastion stuff. oO; Don't ask me how, but he found this website where he can sell products… So far we have shirts with our pen names on it ((His is more of a screen name, though)). He's thinking that maybe I can send Bastion's description to a professional artist whom we can pay to draw him and then put the picture on the t-shirts. Weird, huh:P Wonder if it'll actually work…

Beth: Thank you for your review! And…you'll see. ;3

Welp, here ya go. :3

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I remained in that same position for what seemed like forever. My breath was held, my arms crossed, eyes tightly shut. It's been so long since I've felt so scared…

Bastion… It's alright, you're okay, the angel told me. I didn't feel so sure. The presence…the one close to me, it felt so angry…so hateful…so out of control, yet… …Yet… I opened my eyes slowly and was greeted with a pair of deep black eyes staring back into my own…with the head of a gigantic wolf.

I leaped backwards and onto the ground, my breathing heavy. Why am I so scared…? This…this didn't happen with the vampires, why with…with…?!

Werewolves? The angel asked, calmly.

Why are you so calm about this?! I mentally screamed.

It's normal. First encounters with vampires are different than with werewolves.

The reddish brown werewolf slowly made its way towards me. I tried to remain very still as I tried to calm down. He kept moving towards me until his nose was just above my chest. My breathing halted, my heart beating much too fast for it to be considered safe. It seemed to be smelling me, his large nostrils snuffling my chest, then my shoulders, my neck… And then it began licking me. I started to laugh from his tongue strokes, they were tickling me! It soon stopped, though, nudged its head against mine, and backed off. It was then that I noticed the others behind it. The fear that had just begun to settle came back with full force. They didn't look as friendly…

Bastion, relax. They won't harm you.

The darkest of the werewolves approached me now as the reddish one moved back. It gave me the impression as being leader of the pack, its fur such a deep black that even the night sky would be jealous. It turned so that its side was facing me, and with a small twist of its head told me to get on. I was quick to comply, not wanting to anger it. Before I knew it we were speeding off through the forest, the pace making my grip tightly onto the wolf's long fur.

Along the way, my angel started explaining everything about werewolves to me. Werewolves would never harm an angel, nor even think it. At best, they most likely want to get to know you, considering that you are the first, and only, angel to ever come to Forks. The reason you felt so scared when you first felt the werewolf is because of your empathic powers. Werewolves usually have a lot of trouble controlling their temper; it is their great anger that turns them into the actual wolf form. Angels dislike any form of anger intensely, and when faced by it usually respond by leaving or hiding, but since you're also half human, you felt fear.

The sudden stop in movement made me realize we had arrived at our destination. The air was thick with the smell of eggs and bacon. I hopped off the moment the werewolf below me began to shake.

Close your eyes, my angel told me. I covered them with my hand as the wolves morphed back into their human forms. They opened the door, the aroma now assaulting my nostrils.

I stood there, feeling like an idiot, for what seemed like forever before someone took my hand. "You can open your eyes now," a voice told me. It sounded like a male. I blinked open my eyes, dropping my hand to see a handsome, and very tall, young man looking at me. His face being only inches from mine, I should have felt uncomfortable, but there was something about his dark eyes that seemed vaguely familiar…

It then occurred to me that he was holding my hand, and the sudden chuckle that came from the man made me realize the warmth spreading across my face was visible. "My name is Jacob Black." He told me cheerfully. I smiled in return.

"I'm Bastion, pleased to meet you," I responded. That made him smile as well.

"Like wise. So…shall we?" Jacob asked, stretching his gigantic arm towards the door. We were standing only a few feet away, but it seemed if he stretched enough Jacob would be able to reach it. I merely nodded, allowing him to lead the way. As I entered the room my ears were greeted by the loud screeching sounds of utensils scratching against plates. I resisted the urge to cover my ears as I stepped further into the room. They must have sensed my discomfort because all of the shirtless men in the room suddenly stopped eating, some with their mouths wide open with food.

"Uh-uh, boys, that's no way to act in front of a guest," a woman scolded. It wasn't hard to tell who it was, since she was the only woman in the room. She quickly walked towards me and…hugged me…as Jacob found a seat by the table, a tray full of food already in front of him. Umm…why is she hugging me? I asked my angel.

Friendly greeting?

She pulled away and then smiled broadly. I immediately noticed the huge scar that ran across her face, and down her neck towards her hand, but I didn't say anything, just smiled.

"My name is Emily. Nice to have you join us. Please, sit down." She motioned towards a seat by the rather small table. Deciding not to be rude, I humbly accepted the offer, stretching my wings along side me so that my back could touch the chair. The silence lasted for a few more seconds, but soon the noise came roaring back to life as the entire room of bare chest boys struggled to eat every ounce of food visible.

"Would you like some food, dear?" she asked me. I took one glance at the muffins, the eggs, and the bacon, and my mind immediately started racing. Calories, Trans fat, carbohydrates…

"N-No thank you, ma'am!" was my direct response.

Dude, you're starving!! Why turn down food?

You know exactly why, I retorted. My mind went through flash backs of when I was little…and fat.

Oh, right, was my angels' only reply.

After the meal, which seemed to end much too quickly for the amount of food that was there when I entered, the leader of the werewolves told them all to quiet down. He glared directly towards me, and I felt myself shrink beneath his gaze. I hated feeling intimidated…

"So," he stated, his strong voice resonating throughout the room. He placed his large hands onto the table, his weight making it groan with pain. "You're an angel…correct?" I nodded my head slowly. He sighed and took a seat on the table, his gaze now softer. "First of all, I'd like to welcome you to Forks, second… I would like to ask a favor of you."

"Thank you, and…a favor?" I asked, confused. He nodded.

"Would you mind explaining to us everything you know about angels and werewolves? I have only heard rumors, but now that there's an actual one here, I would appreciate it if you were to clarify some things."

I smiled and nodded. "Certainly."

So I gave them the entire speech that I told the Cullens, minus my memories. By the time that I had finished, they had all seemed to be in awe. The leader was the only one to actually move. He stood up and looked towards Emily, a passionate look in his eyes. "Emily… Did you hear?"

"Yes, Sam, I did," she responded, reaching out to clasp the hand he had offered. Sam took Emily's hand in his and held her close before kissing her deeply on the lips.

"Yuck, Sam! Do you have to do that in front of us?!" questioned one of the werewolves. Sam's reply was a quick "Shut up!" and a deadly glare that would send anyone running…me included.

I felt my heart become heavier with each passing second that they kissed, and as they began to moan, I felt the stab of a knife cut right through me. I clenched my hands into fists, pain quickly coursing through me, silently praying for them to stop. I thought I could hold out just a little longer, but then they began to hold each other tighter…closer, and I ran out of the house with a quick "Excuse me".

I ran across the field until I felt myself far enough from the house. I breathed heavily, trying to close the gaping hole that was ripped open inside my chest.

Sorry, Bastion… I didn't know he'd have a fiancé…

I shook my head. "It's fine," I muttered. I took a seat on the ground; no way could I stand to be in there again. I stared up towards the sky, the dense trees seeming to block out the sun.

"What's fine?" a voice behind me asked. I nearly jumped up, quickly turning around to see Jacob standing there, a curious look on his face. I sighed, slightly relieved. I turned around to look directly in front of me, resting my head on my knees.

"Nothing," I responded quietly. He took a seat next to me and the sudden leap in my chest told me something I didn't really want to know.

Well…maybe you're just nervous… my angel comforted.

"Something up?" he asked. I looked towards him, deciding whether or not I should really talk to him. He seemed slightly concerned, and my angel said he would never do anything to hurt me, so…

"What did Sam mean when he asked, 'Did you hear?'" I asked. Although it wasn't my main focus, it did confuse me a little, plus it would make a good starting conversation.

"He was probably referring to your powers over vampires. Werewolves and vampires are mortal enemies. He thinks you will be able to kill the Cul---"

"I won't!" I suddenly yelled, and then proceeded to cover my mouth with my hands. I turned away, embarrassed. "Sorry," I mumbled. He reached out his hand and covered one of mine. I felt my face flush again.

"It's alright, but… Why won't you?"

I gathered all the courage I had and turned to look straight into the dark depths of his eyes. It was then I realized that he was the reddish werewolf from before. I quickly rid my mind of those thoughts. "I couldn't," I told him. "They saved me. If it wasn't for them I would probably be dead right now. They're good people, despite their being vampires. They don't even harm anyone. Plus…" I looked away again, my mind far off. "Bella would never forgive me."

"Yeah…she is pretty hung up on that Edward, huh?" he replied. I was slightly surprised.

"You know Bella?"

He nodded his head sadly. "I used to have the biggest crush on her."

I felt the slowly healing hole in my heart be suddenly torn open again. Straight… He's straight…

…I'm sorry, Bastion… I smiled sadly.

"I see," I said. Nothing else came to mind. The hold he had on my hand grew slightly tighter and it made the whole even deeper. He's making this too hard…

"Are you alright?" he asked me. He sounded so concerned… I closed my eyes, a strong cold grasping my heart. You've got no chance with him, he doesn't want you, I told myself. I shook my head slowly. "No," I whispered.

"Well what's wrong? You need me to get you something? Food or…? Anything?" Now he sounded desperate. I could have chuckled if I didn't feel so heartbroken.

"No, I don't… Really," I muttered. My wings folded protectively around me.

Oh Bastion… Get a hold of yourself, c'mon. You can't do this in front of him, and I can't put up the barrier when you're so depressed, my angel urged, trying to reason with me. Barrier…? Oh, right… The barrier is a shield that protects the person from their own emotions until they feel they are strong enough to deal with them…

Damn it, you're thought process is slowing… You really should have eaten something…

"I should get going," I mumbled, standing up. The world began spinning before me, my legs stumbling to try and keep me up, but before I got the chance to fall flat on my face, Jacob caught me in his strong arms, holding my face close to his powerful chest.

"You probably shouldn't be moving," he told me, chuckling slightly. I felt the rumble of his chest from his booming voice and the hole became larger. Anymore and I thought it would swallow me whole…

"I'm sorry… I'm being such a burden to you." I tried to pull away, but he held me protectively. Why was he being so nice to me?

"Not at all, so don't even think it. Just sit down, alright?" I complied, sitting down slowly. He sat next to me again, but was slightly closer than before. "Well, to pass the time until you feel better, how about you tell me more about yourself?"

I chuckled softly before looking towards him. "You don't want to know, trust me."

He smiled. "You never know until you try. So c'mon, I'm sure it's not that bad."

I sighed, giving in. I started to tell him everything I remembered, not bothering to check whether he was listening or not. It was already getting dark again by the time I had finished. He was silent, and I took that as a bad sign. "See what I meant? Maybe I should be taking my leave now…" I offered. I stood up, my legs now stable. I turned back to see if he was alright. He was just blankly looking towards me. I smiled sadly. I've seen that face before. The face of disbelief, of doubt… The face that told me, "Maybe we shouldn't keep seeing each other."

I turned around, not daring to look back again, and by the flap of my wings I headed towards the Cullens, slowly soaring through the cool sky.

Don't worry, Bastion… I'm sure there's someone out there for you…

"Yeah," I muttered. "But it's not him…"

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I didn't like this chapter much. It felt so…awkward… Hopefully next one I'll do better, otherwise… Ick… :/